Gainesville activists, gov't leaders pledge to work toward unity in light of Ferguson decision

GAINESVILLE - Local law enforcement and government leaders were among those who gathered in downtown Gainesville Wednesday afternoon to hear concerns from the black community in light of recent events in Ferguson, Missouri.<br /> <br /> About 30 people gathered for the rally in front of the Federal Courthouse on Spring Street at 12 p.m., and for the next hour participants took turns voicing their worries about racial profiling, the potential for police brutality and the need for unity in the Gainesville-Hall County community. <br /> <br /> The gathering was organized following Monday's decision by a grand jury in Ferguson not to indict white police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager. The deadly incident occurred on August 9, 2014.<br /> <br /> "Gainesville is a mini Ferguson," said Timeka Shields, a lifelong Gainesville resident who works for the city school system. <br /> <br /> "There is division in our community, there is division in our work force," said Shields. <br /> <br /> A large part of that division, she said, revolves around the lack of respect law officers have for African-Americans.<br /> <br /> "You have to show yourselves friendly in our neighborhoods because our children see you as the bad guy," said Shields.<br /> <br /> Shields also questioned where white ministers and school leaders were, saying she appreciated the fact that Gainesville City Councilman Sam Couvillon showed up for the rally.<br /> <br /> Couvillon also addressed the group, saying that until he talked to some of those attending the rally, he didn't understand the discomfort many in the black community felt in the presence of law enforcement.<br /> <br /> "I was telling Rev. [Rose] Johnson there's no way that me - as a white man - can say what your life looks like," said Couvillon.<br /> <br /> "I told her when I pull up to a gas station and see a police officer, I feel comfort. She said she does not feel that. So, the ultimate goal is for you to feel the same way that I do."<br /> <br /> He also said that the effort to strengthen racial relationships among community members, government leaders and law enforcement needed to move forward and not stop with Friday's rally. <br /> <br /> "If we don't do it, then all this was done in vain today," said Couvillon.<br /> <br /> Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch and acting Gainesville Police Chief Carol Martin also attended the Friday rally and promised that they would hold meetings with the local NAACP and other community activists to work toward healing racial relationships.<br /> <br /> The rally ended with prayer, led by Rev. Rodney Lackey of Gainesville's Antioch Baptist Church.<br />